This wooden train, only over half a ter high, at least in appearance, was not much different from the old steam locomotive Joseph rembered.
Except it had a pair of massive front wheels for driving—Trevisick couldn’t design a combined suspension system, and Joseph wasn’t clear on the principle. So he used oversized driving wheels instead.
Trevisick pushed the model’s piston rod by hand, and the wheels imdiately began to rotate smoothly.
He excitedly rambled: "Your Highness, I calculated precisely last night, if a 90-horsepower steam engine is used to drive it, and it carries 9 coal cars and 16 carriages, the speed can reach 38 kiloters per hour, continuing for 800 kiloters with one coal refill."
According to the Crown Prince’s suggestion, he found it necessary to modify the LJ98 type steam engine and reduce its size, which resulted in the power reducing to 90 horsepower. However, due to the significant improvent in the train’s overall design, this power was sufficient.
Joseph rembered Trevisick previously ntioning that each coal car could carry 5 tons of coal, and ordinary carriages could carry 4 tons of goods. This ans this early train achieved a pure transport capacity of 64 tons.
Actually, if the coal load is reduced, it can carry more than 80 tons of goods, but it needs to stop more frequently along the way to replenish fuel.
Joseph suddenly thought of a thod he had seen in later generations, where two locomotives drive from the front and back, which could theoretically double the carrying capacity.
He looked at Trevisick and said, "If another engine pushes from behind, can the number of carriages be doubled?"
The designer imdiately shook his head: "I’m afraid that’s not possible, Your Highness. If the speed of the two engines is slightly different, it will snap the carriages in the middle, and it is very difficult to control the speed so precisely."
Joseph nodded slightly, realizing he was still an outsider; simultaneous front and rear driving probably required a very mature train technology to be realized.
However, being able to transport 64 tons of materials nearly 900 kiloters in a day already crushed all existing transport capacity.
He looked at the train model in front of him and asked Trevisick, "How long do you think it will take to produce a prototype?"
"It depends on which steel plant we entrust with the trial. From what I previously understood, the Namu Royal Iron Refinery would take more than 5 months, while the Nancy Steel Factory would take 7 months, and Luxembourg should have factories capable of production."
Joseph mused, "Then let’s place it in Nancy. A war might break out soon; Nancy is safer and is also closer to the United Steam Engine Company, convenient for testing.
"Oh, how much funding is required for the trial production?"
"About 80,000 francs, I think."
Joseph imdiately breathed a sigh of relief; civilian items indeed were cheaper. He ought first to establish a steam locomotive production company to prepare for mass production...
Two days later.
Lively music rang out from Dock No. 2 of the Brest Shipyard, where hundreds of artisans under the engineer’s guidance slowly pushed a massive oak onto the platform on the east side of the dock.
This is the keel for the latest type of fourth-grade steam battleship "Decisive."
Count Molokov had never felt so at a loss; if it weren’t for the Queen of France’s repeated requests, he absolutely wouldn’t want to handle such a tricky matter.
From today, its construction will officially start.
Joseph finished his brief comncent speech and was listening to Sane’s report on the construction plan when Eman approached and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Mr. Lavallette has arrived, saying he urgently needs to see you."
More than ten minutes later, in the docunt room of the dock, the Security Bureau chief quickly saluted the Crown Prince with a solemn expression and said, "Your Highness, a coup occurred in Russia on the 4th of this month. Paul I has died, Alexander has succeeded as Tsar."
Joseph instantly frowned tightly saying, "What happened?"
"According to the Russian governnt’s statent, ’Paul I accidentally fell and was killed by a candlestick.’ However, from the nobility to commoners in Saint Petersburg, rumors abound that Crown Prince Alexander rushed into the Tsar’s bedroom and shot him."
On that night, actually, there were forty to fifty Royal Guard soldiers, plus over ten people including Zubov, who saw Alexander enter Paul’s room and heard gunfire. Later, even servants saw the body of "broad-minded" Paul.
So the news simply couldn’t be covered up.
Joseph was sowhat angry: "I’ve repeatedly reminded him to be careful of assassination!"
Paul ended up being assassinated nearly three years earlier than in history.
Though this is a family matter for the Tsar, Paul I maintained a rather favorable attitude toward France, and after his death, the entire political situation in Eastern Europe would be filled with uncertainty.
Joseph also thought of Alexandra. Her father was killed by her brother, and he didn’t know how to comfort her afterward.
Lavallette said, "Your Highness, Paul Tsar actually did everything he could. He had all the guards at the Gatchina Palace replaced with the Royal Guard who followed him when he was Crown Prince.
"The ones responsible for palace security were also officers from the forr Gatchina regint. Entering his bedroom at night required his personally signed permit and passing through three checkpoints.
"He even sealed all the pathways to the Queen’s room and dug an escape route.
"However, at the ti of the coup, only Arakcheev did not betray him but was interned by the secret police.
"One could say everyone in Saint Petersburg wanted him to abdicate."
Joseph took a deep breath: "What about Count Bobrinsky?"
"Reportedly, he was caught by Alexander’s n outside the Tsar’s bedroom," Lavallette said, "The latest news is he was appointed as Governor of Alaska."
Joseph felt a wave of powerlessness rising in his heart. Faced with this situation, even if he were to step into Paul’s shoes, his chances of survival were slim—especially with Alexander personally taking action.
Lavallette continued: "Alexander pardoned all the officers exiled by Paul I, rapidly recalled the expeditionary force heading to India, and began reorganizing Moldavia’s military.
"We also received news indicating he might deploy troops to Transcaucasia again."
Joseph silently nodded; Alexander was indeed a highly capable Tsar, making decisions that maximized Russia’s strategic interests.
Now, he must observe Alexander’s attitude towards the situation in Europe.
Thinking of this, Joseph couldn’t help clenching his fists; a nation’s fate shouldn’t depend on others’ whims, preparation for the worst-case scenario must be made in advance.
He imdiately said to Eman, "Please prepare the carriage, we will return to Paris at once."
"Yes, Your Highness."
...
Paris.
Palace of Versailles.
The newly appointed Russian Ambassador to France, Count Molokov, had never felt so ill at ease. If it weren’t for the Queen of France’s persistent request, he wouldn’t want to deal with such a challenging matter.
"My most sincere blessings to you, respected Princess," he nervously swallowed, bowed to Alexandra, and said, "I am here today because I have so important matters to tell you."
"Please go ahead."
"A coup occurred in Saint Petersburg not long ago."
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